Youth in Motion ready to roll

Get ready, Oak Creek's Main Street, the Soap Box Derby is ready to go.

The fifth annual Soap Box Derby is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Oak Creek. The second annual Youth in Motion follows the Soap Box Derby at 2:30 p.m. and lasts until 4:30 p.m.

The Steamboat Springs Ro--tary Club and the town of Oak Creek sponsor Youth in Motion. The program began two years ago to broaden the reach of Soap Box Derby festivities to include not just race participants, but also other children and family members.

"It's a real fun and educational thing that appeals to kids of all ages," said Jane Collins, a committee member for Youth in Motion.

This year's events will be held at Decker Park in Oak Creek immediately after the derby race.

The Steamboat Springs band "Loose Change" will play, the Hot Wheels of Steamboat Springs Car Club will visit, and a barbecue will be provided by Sam Haslem of Hayden. During the event, tables and booths will be set up in the park and will feature sponsors and educational activities.

The tables will have names such as "Kick the Butts" tobacco awareness, "Miles of Smiles" dental hygiene and "Try the Drive" alcohol awareness, all aimed to teach children through a fun, hands-on approach.

"Try the Drive" is a course in which children can drive radiocontrolled cars around cones with and without special goggles that simulate the effects of drinking and driving.

"It's just a hoot watching the kids run over the cones," Collins said.

Youth In Motion aims to attract all children, especially those of middle- and high-school age.

Youth In Motion was created to include children who might be at the Soap Box Derby, such as brothers or sisters, but weren't participating in the event. The Rotary Club wanted something that would be fun and educational and decided to put together booths that deal with things that children need to know about, such as money, dental hygiene and drug and alcohol awareness.

Collins hopes a big crowd from across Routt County will come out for this year's event.

"There really is something for everybody," she said.

The Soap Box Derby will be held on Main Street. Derby racers will participate in two-person heats until a winner is named. The winner earns an all-expense-paid trip to Akron, Ohio, where the National Soap Box Derby Race will be held. Derby racing has been an American tradition for 70 years and a local tradition for five years. Fifteen cars are expected to compete in this year's race.